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Vermont Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

State Legislature US Congress

All 8,295 Active 3,475 In committee 2,310 Passed 2,033 Signed 934 Failed 25

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 24, 2025

H 81: An act relating to requiring legislative approval prior to entering into certain immigration agreements

H 81 requires Vermont's Governor to obtain prior approval from the General Assembly before entering into certain federal immigration enforcement agreements (specifically those under 8 U.S.C. § 1357(g) and 19 U.S.C. § 1401(i)). The bill mandates a 60-day notice period before a vote, during which the Governor must provide the full agreement text, an analysis of fiscal/social/legal impacts, and hold public hearings. It also prohibits such agreements if the General Assembly isn't in session and requires annual reporting to legislative committees on related discussions. This directly affects the Governor and state agencies that might enter these agreements, adding a legislative review step to federal immigration partnerships.

Topics ✓ Immigration

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 24, 2025

H 85: An act relating to the taxation of vehicles used for forestry operations

This bill (H 85) expands Vermont's tax exemptions for vehicles used in forestry operations. It adds motor trucks, semi-trailers, tractors, truck cranes, and other specific forestry equipment (like skidders, log loaders, and whole-tree chippers) to the list of vehicles exempt from sales tax and purchase/use tax. The exemption applies to businesses engaged in forestry activities, including timber cutting, removal, processing, and transportation of forest products. The bill modifies existing tax code sections to include these vehicles and requires state agencies to publish application guidance.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 23, 2025

S 24: An act relating to stormwater management

This bill extends the deadline for owners of impervious surfaces (like paved areas over 3 acres) to obtain stormwater permits from 2027 to 2036. It allows municipalities that assume full control of stormwater systems to charge users impact fees to cover system costs. The bill also extends a 0.22% clean water surcharge on property transfers until 2036 and creates a grant fund to help municipalities manage stormwater projects in residential areas or "orphan" systems. These changes primarily affect property owners, municipalities, and developers involved in stormwater management.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 71: An act relating to health care entity transaction oversight and clinical decision making

This bill requires health care entities (like hospitals, clinics, and insurers with $1 million+ in annual revenue) to notify Vermont's Green Mountain Care Board and Attorney General before certain major transactions, such as mergers, acquisitions, or ownership changes. The Board, working with the Attorney General, must review these transactions and decide whether to approve them, approve with conditions, or disapprove them. It also prohibits corporations from interfering with doctors' clinical decisions or professional judgment. Additionally, the bill mandates public reporting on ownership and control of covered health care entities.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 63: An act relating to fair employment practices and legislative leave

This bill requires Vermont employers to maintain full-time legislators' employment benefits (like health insurance) at the same level and cost during their legislative service, as if they were working continuously. It ensures legislators retain job seniority, benefits coverage, and protection from retaliation for taking this leave. Employers may require legislators to continue paying their usual share of benefit costs during the leave period. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting state legislators who hold full-time jobs outside their legislative role.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 66: An act relating to the number of votes required for a write-in candidate to win a primary election

This bill changes Vermont's primary election rules for write-in candidates and party nominations. It requires write-in candidates to receive at least half the number of signatures needed to petition for the office (not half the total votes) to win a primary, unless they receive more votes than any candidate listed on the ballot. It also prohibits major political parties from nominating a general election candidate if they failed to nominate one in the primary. These changes directly affect write-in candidates in primaries and major political parties that do not hold a primary.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 73: An act relating to the zoning requirements for group homes

This bill amends Vermont's zoning law to require group homes to actively integrate residents into the surrounding community, rather than segregating them. It clarifies that group homes must work toward community integration through educational, employment, or other local opportunities. The law directly affects group homes operating under Vermont's residential care facility zoning standards. The change prevents group homes from having the "intent or effect of segregating" residents from the community they serve.

Topics ✓ Housing

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 72: An act relating to municipal ordinances governing nuisance properties containing salvage and scrap

This bill allows Vermont municipalities to treat properties with accumulated junk, scrap, abandoned vehicles, or rubbish as public nuisances. Towns can create local rules requiring owners to clean such properties within 90 days or face fines, with unpaid fines becoming property liens collected like taxes. It specifically targets unlicensed salvage operations and sites violating nuisance standards, while ensuring local rules align with state law. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 75: An act relating to clinician participation in patient choice at end of life and DNR/COLST orders

H 75 would expand which healthcare providers can participate in Vermont's end-of-life care processes. Specifically, it would authorize naturopathic physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants to engage in patient choice discussions and issue DNR (do-not-resuscitate) and COLST (clinician orders for life-sustaining treatment) orders - currently limited to physicians under Vermont law. The bill amends definitions in Vermont's Patient Choice at End of Life chapter to include these provider types under the term "clinician." This change would directly affect patients seeking end-of-life care planning and these healthcare professionals who currently cannot sign such orders. The bill is currently pending before the Committee on Health Care.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 68: An act relating to expanding the National Guard Tuition Benefit Program

H 68 expands Vermont's National Guard Tuition Benefit Program to cover graduate degrees and second bachelor's degrees, directly affecting Vermont National Guard members who meet eligibility criteria. The bill allows members to receive tuition benefits for graduate studies or a second undergraduate degree, provided they haven't previously used the program for an undergraduate degree. Key provisions include requiring a two-year service commitment for each year of tuition benefit received and mandating repayment if members leave service early or fail to complete their degree while employed in Vermont. This update extends existing coverage beyond undergraduate programs without altering the core structure of the benefit program.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Veterans

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 64: An act relating to after-hours access to orders against sexual assault

H 64 creates a process for victims of sexual assault to obtain emergency protective orders outside regular court hours, weekends, and holidays. It requires the Court Administrator to establish procedures where an authorized person can receive requests (including electronically), administer a sworn statement over the phone, and relay the case to a judicial officer for a decision. This directly affects individuals seeking immediate protection from sexual assault when courts are closed. The judicial officer decides solely based on the submitted information, and if approved, the order is delivered to law enforcement for service. The bill takes effect September 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 74: An act relating to exempting Social Security benefits from Vermont income tax

H 74 would phase in full exemption of Social Security benefits from Vermont income tax over eight years. Currently, Vermont partially exempts Social Security benefits for lower-income seniors, but this bill raises the income thresholds where full exemption applies - increasing the single filer threshold from $65,000 to $77,000 and married filer threshold from $80,000 to $92,000. The change applies to all Vermont residents receiving Social Security benefits, with full exemption becoming effective by the eighth year. The bill amends Vermont’s tax code (32 V.S.A. § 5830e) to adjust the income-based exclusion rules. It is currently referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes